Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Keeya is the Head of Communications and Influence at BFA Global, a consulting firm that applies financial and digital innovation, venture building, and investment expertise to improve the resilience and wellbeing of underserved people. BFA Global leverages global expertise and local knowledge to craft and scale solutions, and catalyze innovation ecosystems, partnering with leading public, private and philanthropic organizations, for a more inclusive and sustainable planet. Founded in 2006, BFA Global is headquartered in Nairobi and Boston, with a presence in Medellín, New Delhi, Mexico City, Johannesburg, Lagos, Accra, Madrid, London and Paris.

In her role, Keeya leads the comms team across the organization at large, including vision, strategy, content development, digital, press and media outreach. Keeya also works with early-stage companies in emerging markets through the Catalyst Fund Startup Accelerator, helping entrepreneurs to tell their stories and connect with their audiences.

Keeya joined BFA Global with over a decade of experience in international strategic communications roles. Most recently she worked at the GSMA, where she led global marketing and communications for Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation, a 20+ million USD program funded by the UK government to accelerate the impact and delivery of digital humanitarian assistance. Before this, Keeya co-founded an award-winning community-led Australian organization and developed communications strategies for the United Nations Office of the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs in New York City, and for global refugee advocacy and peacekeeping NGOs in the United Kingdom, East Africa, and Southeast Asia. She is also a former Huffington Post contributor, a World Economic Forum Global Shaper Alumnus, TEDx speaker, and a current Georgia Women’s Policy Institute Fellow.

Education

Bachelor of Arts with Honors | University of Western Australia | 2015

Anthropology and Sociology Graduate Certificate | The Australian National University | 2014

Australian Migration Law and Practice Master of Applied Anthropology and Participatory Development | The Australian National University | 2017 | Humanitarian action

 

 

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Relevant educational experiences:

Keeya has a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Anthropology and Sociology from the University of Western Australia, a Graduate Certificate in Migration Law and Practice from the Australian National University (ANU), and a Master of Applied Anthropology and Participatory Development specializing in humanitarian action from the ANU. As part of her Bachelor’s degree, Keeya completed study abroad at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, focusing on religious minorities and human rights, with sponsorship from the Tony Blair Faith Foundation. She also earned a professional Certificate in Social Impact Storytelling at Georgetown University.


Relevant work experience:

Keeya currently works at the GSMA, based in the Atlanta office, leading global marketing and communications for the Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation program. Prior to this, she was based in London, leading marketing for the GSMA’s Ecosystem Accelerator, Digital Identity and Disaster Response programs. Prior to this, Keeya worked a communications manages peacebuilding NGO Peace One Day, as a strategist on #RefugeeEconomics – a reporting project funded by the European Journalism Centre and the Innovation in Development Reporting grant program, as a Public Information Intern at UN OCHA in NYC, as Co-Founder and Vice Chairperson at non-profit Perth SOUP Inc, as Communications Manager at international NGO Urban Refugees, as a self-employed Registered Migration Agent assisting refugees and asylum seekers with Australian visa applications, and as EA to the CEO of the Humanitarian Group.


Career goals:

Keeya is highly motivated to build deeper knowledge of public policy, particularly in the US context, and to strengthen her local networks in Georgia.

Of Note

Upper Second-Class Honors in Anthropology and Sociology from the University of Western Australia, 2015

Research Interests

Non-profit management, humanitarian policy, refugees and forced migration, authentic leadership, digital technologies, social impact